Samira Al-Kharusi
Telephone
Fax
E-mail
Job Title
: +968 24146805
: +968 24146810
: samiras@squ.edu.om
: Senior tech. A
Education
University Study
BSc in Chemistry from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), 1996.
Final year project
I worked on the analysis of various traditional Omani folk medicines using X-ray powder
diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The main objective of my
project is to check for the presence of lead (Pb) in those medications used by Omani
people.
I’m involved in one publication: A.D. Hardy, R.Vaishnav, S.S.Z. Al-Karusi, H.H.
Sutherland, M.A. Worthing, 1998. Composition of eye cosmetics (kohls) used in Oman.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology 60 (1998), 223-234.
Work Experience
I started my work in the Chemistry department at SQU, which involved preparing labs
and demonstrating experiments to students.
Then I transferred to the Earth Sciences department where I worked in the X-ray and
Geochemistry labs. My duties involved preparation and operating instruments.
My preparation part involved:
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Preparing samples which includes crushing and grinding.
Preparing samples for XRD analysis using different techniques.
Doing clay treatment.
Doing chemical treatment.
Doing loss on ignition.
Preparing samples using fusion method.
Preparing samples using binding method (using pressure and binder).
Preparing standards for XRF analysis.
Preparing solutions and standards for AA analysis.
Doing wet chemical analysis.
Instrumental part:
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Setting up an application and calibrating the XRF spectrometry.
Performing Quantitative, Qualitative and Semi-quantitative analysis of major and
minor elements.
Identifying and quantifying minerals or phases using XRD machine.
Interpreting data for XRF and XRD.
Analyzing samples using AA spectrophotometry.
Teaching above techniques to students.
Performing analysis to private sector.
Assisting researchers using the above techniques.
In 2013, I joined the central analytical and applied research unit (CAARU) where I
worked extensively on XRF and XRD instruments.
Training
I had in-house training course on XRF and XRD techniques given by consultant from
University of Vienna in the period 15 April to 7 June 2000. It involved theoretical and
practical sessions.
I have taken a workshop on Safety in Chemical Laboratories (1998) given by college of
science at Bahrain university.
A short course on Laboratory Health and Safety (2006) given by college of Engineering
at Bahrain University.
At SQU, I have taken a First-Aid course (2009) organized by college of Medicine.
I attended a training course on advanced XRF (June, 2012) in the Netherlands, which
includes theoretical and practical sessions in application setup, validation and Omnian.
I also attended a training course on XRF and XRD (April, 2013) in the ministry of
Commerce and Industry, Oman.